THE?2013 UNITED Insurance National Inter-School Chess Championships push off today at the St Michael School with 17 primary school teams in competition.
Close to 150 junior players will be in action in the tournament where Arthur Smith Primary are the defending champions.
Two new teams – Trinity and Charles F. Broome – are competing this year and will be seeking to make their presence felt against regulars such as Sharon Primary, Wesley Hall, St Cyprians, St Gabriels, Providence , St Angela’s and St Winifred’s.
Other schools fielding teams are Milton Lynch, People’s Cathedral, St Judes Primary, Lawrence T. Gay, St Elizabeth, Grantley Prescod and St Matthews.
The annual championships, which will also feature secondary school players and a tournament for tertiary institutions, have been organized by the Barbados Chess Federation and sponsored by Bridgetown-based United Insurance for the past 30 years.
On Thursday, marketing executives of United Insurance handed over the sponsorship funds for the 2013 championships during a ceremony at its corporate offices, attended by representatives of the Barbados Chess Federation and some of the island’s leading young players.
Both Federation vice-president Dr David Jordan and treasurer Alan Herbert praised United Insurance for their long-standing support for chess over the years, which started back in 1981.
“The schools’ championships have been a nursery for the sport over the years and most of our top players came through the programme. Junior chess tournaments are critical to the development of the sport and we sincerely thank United for their support,” said Dr Jordan.
Acknowledging 30 years of sponsorship of the Chess Championships by United Insurance, marketing manager Sharron Alleyne-Elcock said the company was extremely proud to be able to support chess and other sports in Barbados and the Caribbean for such a long time.
Sponsorship for the various tournaments exceeds $15 000 and Alleyne-Elcock said: “We are happy to continue to partner with the Barbados Chess Federation in creating opportunities and helping to developthe minds of our youth.
“We believe such exposure is valuable and will serve the young players well beyond their years at school.” (PR/EZS)
